Chapter Thirty-Two: Quotas and Cooperation

Yang Ze had come out, intent on fulfilling an invitation. He was heading to find Yuan Heng, who had extended two invitations to him, and even sent a letter through a messenger a month prior. Yang Ze truly couldn’t fathom what Yuan Heng was planning—this visit would be the perfect opportunity to probe his intentions.

The yamen was situated at the very heart of Yuyang City; both the City Lord’s residence and the yamen occupied the central position, a clear emblem of the government’s supreme status in Yuyang. Beyond the inner city, the government’s quarters formed the core of Yuyang—higher in rank than the inner city itself, with much stricter security. From here, the many constables would depart each day to patrol the city, and part of Yuyang’s garrison was also stationed in this area.

Yet, these troops were not responsible for guarding the yamen—they were there to protect the City Lord’s residence. The City Lord’s safety was paramount to all of Yuyang City.

Yang Ze didn’t enter through the main gate of the northern inner city, but instead took the passage reserved for government personnel; otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to enter the inner city at all.

This morning, Yang Ze hadn’t ridden a horse. He simply walked step by step through the streets. Setting out early, he didn’t take long to reach the front gate of the yamen.

At the entrance stood a large drum, flanked by two constables. Yang Ze glanced at them and immediately recognized that they were merely skilled ordinary men, not cultivators of true energy.

As Yang Ze approached, the two constables barred his way. Though they could tell he wasn’t an ordinary person, they nonetheless stopped him. This was the yamen—if anyone could walk in freely, they would surely be reprimanded.

“Halt!” one constable called, extending a hand to block Yang Ze’s path.

“I am Yang Ze, here at the invitation of Master Yuan Heng. I ask you to inform him of my arrival,” Yang Ze replied, unruffled, explaining his purpose.

He wasn’t native to this world, so he maintained a certain decorum from his previous life, never displaying the arrogance typical of the young lords here.

The constables were unfamiliar with Yang Ze’s name, but Yuan Heng’s was well-known—he was the Chief Constable, their superior.

One constable hurried inside, while the other said, “Please wait here a moment. We’ll go report your arrival, and you’ll have your answer soon.” Though he didn’t know Yang Ze’s standing, he remained polite.

Yang Ze wasn’t offended. He had suffered far greater indignities in his previous life; standing at someone’s door for a while was nothing. He only sighed inwardly—his reputation clearly wasn’t large enough. These constables, watching the gate daily, didn’t even know him.

He wasn’t made to wait long. The constable who went inside quickly returned, moving faster than before.

“The Chief Constable is waiting for you inside. I’ll show you the way—come!”

The constable’s tone now carried a hint of respect. He had just witnessed Yuan Heng’s expression change upon hearing Yang Ze’s name. From his years of experience, he could tell there must be a connection between Yang Ze and Yuan Heng; otherwise, Yuan Heng would never display such emotion. So, he treated Yang Ze with due deference, careful not to offend him.

Yang Ze, however, paid little heed; an ordinary constable mattered little to him.

Following the constable through winding corridors, Yang Ze finally arrived at a somewhat aged building. The constable stopped at the door.

“My friend, the Chief Constable is inside. I won’t go in—you just head straight through the courtyard, and you’ll find him.” With that, the constable departed briskly.

Yang Ze didn’t hesitate. He walked right in—having come this far, he doubted Yuan Heng would go to such trouble only to harm him. He wasn’t afraid.

Inside was a small courtyard. Yang Ze moved forward and saw a hall, into which he entered.

Upon stepping into the hall, he immediately saw a man standing there, smiling at him—it was Chief Constable Yuan.

“You’ve finally arrived. I thought you wouldn’t come this time,” Yuan spoke first, before Yang Ze could utter a word.

“Master Yuan has invited me several times. If I still didn’t come, it would be most discourteous. I dare not refuse. It’s just my first time here, unfamiliar with the place, so I was a bit slow. I beg your pardon,” Yang Ze said apologetically.

“No matter. Second Young Master Yang, please, have a seat!” Yuan Heng took the main seat, and Yang Ze chose a random chair.

“Haha, I’m used to being a bit lazy. If I make any mistakes in etiquette, I hope you’ll forgive me,” Yang Ze said as a servant brought tea, setting it before them. Yuan Heng took a sip, waited for the servant to leave, then spoke.

“Second Young Master Yang, you’re quite composed. Aren’t you curious why I called you here today?”

Yang Ze smiled lightly. “Since you invited me, I trust you’ll tell me. Why should I ask?”

“Direct enough. As you’re so straightforward, I won’t waste words. Let me ask—are you familiar with Wuyang Martial Academy?”

“I know a little.”

“Then you must be aware that representatives from Wuyang Martial Academy are coming to Yuyang City to recruit disciples?”

“Master Yuan, no need to elaborate. My father already told me about Wuyang Martial Academy. As for their arrival, didn’t you inform me it’s been postponed?”

On his way here, Yang Ze had considered many times what Yuan Heng wanted from him—connecting the dots, the Martial Academy matter seemed most likely.

“Haha, it seems I’m repeating myself. Let me ask directly: do you want to enter Wuyang Martial Academy?”

The moment Yuan Heng uttered this, Yang Ze’s breath caught, but his recent trials had tempered him. He quickly regained his composure.

“If I said I didn’t want to, would you believe me? But some things aren’t achieved by mere desire.”

“I know. Your father, Yang Yuanzhen, gave the Yang family’s sole quota to your elder brother, Yang Hai, and abandoned you. So you lack the qualifications for the assessment. Don’t wonder how I know—I work for the government, and our reach in Yuyang City is beyond your imagination.

I can’t send you directly to Wuyang Martial Academy, but I can help you win a quota. The question is: do you want it?”

Yuan Heng spoke calmly, but Yang Ze was anything but. He had thought his chance was gone, yet now another opportunity appeared. How could he not be moved?

Suppressing his excitement, Yang Ze knew nothing came for free in this world. To get something, he would have to pay a price.

“What must I do, Master Yuan?”

“The power of Wuyang Martial Academy is beyond what you and I can imagine. Yuyang City is remote, and has never seen such a mighty force—this is the first time.

They’re only willing to offer a hundred quotas. You must understand: in their eyes, neither you nor I are worth mentioning. Even offering a hundred is puzzling.

These quotas were allocated by the City Lord. Thirty went to the major families and factions in the city, each bidding for one. Your Yang family’s quota was acquired this way.

The government took twenty for distribution. The remaining fifty quotas are given to the city’s commoners!”

There were tens of thousands of ordinary folk in Yuyang City, yet only fifty quotas for them—far fewer than those offered to the powerful. It was a paltry share.

Yang Ze listened carefully—Yuan Heng was making it clear how rare and precious each quota was. The more he heard, the more Yang Ze realized Yuan Heng’s request would not be simple—it would be no easy task.

Indeed, when Yuan Heng spoke next, Yang Ze was stunned.

“What I want from you is to help me wipe out the Feng and Fan families. As payment, I’ll give you a quota for the Martial Academy’s assessment—obtaining it costs me dearly as well.” Yuan Heng took another sip of tea, then spoke quietly.

“Are you joking, Master Yuan? To oppose those two families would be like an egg crashing into a stone—suicidal. If that’s your demand, I must decline!”

Yang Ze would never agree—both families had peak Qi Gathering martial artists, and while he could contend with high-level Qi Gathering, he was no match for them, especially given their manpower.

“Don’t be so quick to refuse. I know it’s difficult, but the Martial Academy won’t arrive for another two months—anything is possible.

I can lower my request: after two months, when you enter the Martial Academy, hand over the complete Four Directions Workshop to me. How about that?”

At last, Yuan Heng’s true aim was revealed. From the start, he wanted Yang Ze to help him seize Four Directions Workshop.

Though he’d still have to confront the Feng and Fan families, it would be less difficult than facing them head on.

Yang Ze fell silent. After a moment, he spoke: “I agree—but only if I enter the Martial Academy. If I fail, Four Directions Workshop remains mine.”

“Very well. It’s a deal!” Yuan Heng agreed.